Lawrence Naesen didn’t have his contract renewed by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and, with no street crew for 2024, the Belgian acquired inventive. He determined to hitch the rising ranks of gravel privateers, gaining sponsorship from a number of high corporations for his new pursuits this yr.
Naesen, 31, the youthful brother of Classics specialist Oliver, picked up street racing whereas at college and raced as an beginner together with his brother earlier than turning professional in 2017. They raced collectively at AG2R for the previous 4 years. Whereas Oliver has a contract extension by way of 2025, Lawrence is considered one of two dozen WorldTour execs who’ve been unable to search out contracts.
Others embody Joe Dombrowski, Domenico Pozzovivo, Odd Christian Eiking, Lukas Pöstlberger and Amanuel Gebreigzhabhier.
Lawrence Naesen posted on social media that he was establishing a brand new offroad crew referred to as “Crew Regulation”, naming sponsors Rapha, Scott Sports activities Benelux, Light-weight, Wahoo, Thule and Trainingpeaks, amongst others, as supporters for his gravel pursuits.
Different street execs have made a profession of racing gravel after competing on the WorldTour degree, amongst them Nathan Haas, Ian Boswell, Peter Stetina and Laurens ten Dam.
Naesen raced within the UCI Gravel World Championships in 2023, coming in sixteenth place behind winner Matej Mohoric.
Proudly presenting: TEAM LAW!2024 offroad 🔥Work in progress, keep tuned🫵Due to:@rapha @rapha_uk @scottbenelux @dekinderhardware @ridelightweight @dynamicbikecare@226ers @wahoofitnessofficial @bravurwatches @compressport @thule @trainingpeaksStay tuned pic.twitter.com/fphtws1qlLJanuary 10, 2024
